May 18: What Happened on This Day in History

• 2022: On May 18, 2022, a significant armed conflict erupted in the Gorno-Badakhshan region of Tajikistan. Approximately 200 anti-government militants strategically blocked a critical road connecting Tajikistan to China. The militants, equipped with firearms and petrol bombs, subsequently ambushed a security convoy on the same route. The confrontation resulted in a violent exchange, with eight militants killed and one security officer losing their life. Additionally, 13 officers were wounded, and over 70 militants were arrested. The Tajik interior ministry characterized the attack as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the social and political landscape of the region, highlighting the ongoing tensions in this strategically important area.
• 2017: United States aircraft conducted a targeted bombing of a Syrian pro-government militia convoy within a designated 'deconfliction area' near Al-Tanf, escalating tensions in the complex Syrian conflict.
• 2016: Iraqi police reported that ISIL militants used chemical weapons during an attack on Bashir, Iraq, near Kirkuk on May 8, 2016. The attack resulted in nine soldiers killed and nine others injured, highlighting the escalating brutality of the Iraqi Civil War.
• 2012: Masked gunmen kidnapped and murdered Marcos Antonio Avila Garcia, a journalist who frequently reported on organized crime. His corpse was discovered in a plastic bag in Empalme, Mexico, highlighting the dangerous conditions for journalists covering drug-related violence.
• 2009: The third C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group convenes in Seoul, South Korea, to discuss urban strategies for addressing climate change and environmental sustainability.
• 2005: Frank Gorshin, an American actor known for his versatile character acting and iconic portrayal of The Riddler in the 1960s Batman TV series, passed away. Born in 1933, Gorshin was a talented impressionist and comedian who made significant contributions to television and film.
• 2003: Andrew Meldrum, a reporter for 'The Guardian', is being deported. He has been covering Zimbabwe for 23 years.
• 1980: David A. Johnston, an American volcanologist, tragically lost his life during the catastrophic eruption of Mount St. Helens. As a dedicated scientist studying the volcano, he was among the first to witness and document the massive geological event.
• 1979: During a fishing trip on the Plains of Georgia, President Jimmy Carter experienced an unusual wildlife encounter when a seemingly aggressive rabbit swam towards his small boat. The incident, later dubbed the 'Killer Rabbit' story, became a humorous anecdote that captured media attention and public imagination, symbolizing Carter's perceived vulnerability during a challenging period of his presidency.
• 1974: The 100th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race takes place, with jockey Miguel Rivera riding Current Little to victory with a time of 1:54.6.

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May 18th marks the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 139th in case of leap years).

There are 227 days remaining until the end of the year.

May 18th is the 18th day of the month of May.

What day of the week is May 18?

On May 18th, 2025 the day of the week is Sunday.

Holidays and Observances on May 18

The zodiac sign associated with May 18th is Taurus according to the Western Zodiac.

More about May 18 zodiac

What is special about the Taurus sign?

• Taurus personality traits and attitude
• Taurus most and least compatible signs
• Why May born are so special